My last 3 hours have been hell. Baby L is battling a cold, teething (why must all 4 first molars come in at once?), and her lack of ability to self-soothe. Her cold is temporary. I can handle that. Teething is temporary. Once again, I can handle that. Her sleeping? I'm beginning to get to the end of my rope.
I'm still breastfeeding. I'm home all day so it's not a big deal. I thought she would've dropped feeds by now, but she hasn't. When she wakes up at night (one to two times on average), she is actually having a full feed. Actually, now that I write it out, the night waking isnt even what bothers me the most. It's getting her to sleep. Some nights, tonight for example, she fights it and fights it to the point where she's a mess and I'm on the verge of being a mess. I've never really like the whole cry it out thing. I have tried it a couple times, but she gets so worked up that it takes me twice as long to settle her and then she sleeps crappy cause it's punctuated by that hyperventilating, gasping for breath thing you do after a big cry. It just doesn't work for us. I know I need to have a better night routine or a routine period but I don't know where to start. Every single day with us is different. Sometimes it's just me and her, sometimes it's us and the two kids, sometimes it's just us and hubs, sometimes it's all five of us. It's the easiest to get her down when it's just her and I since there are no other distractions. Do I just make a routine and then expect on nights when everyone's home, it may take her longer? I don't know!!! I've always had the mindset with sleep that this stage is temporary and it won't last forever. I guess with everything else going on, it's be nice if nights weren't such a struggle. She really is a great baby in every sense. Just a crap sleeper.
Oh, and she mainly co-sleeps. She'll sleep in her crib for most naps and for the first couple hours at night. Some nights, she'll wake up as soon as her head touches the mattress.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. And of you don't have advice, commiserating with me will do to.
I can commiserate for sure :) I'm not sure on the advice front as all of mine had shit sleep periods but now the youngest is nearly three I guess my brain has blocked shit out!! Shou was my worst. I stopped breast feeding all three at between 6 and 8 months - cold turkey - and didn't really have any problems on that front. A big drink of formula before bed seemed to help them sleep longer. But Shou still woke at least once or twice a night until he was about three. And I had two more babies before then. It was tough going.
ReplyDeleteso nup,,no advice other than hang in there. I would try and stick to a routine though. One that can be used when the house is full also.
Good Luck.
xxx